by Jay O’Callahan Emily Dickinson was an artist who worked at her craft as we storytellers do. She worked with metaphor, cadence, rhythm, rhyme, character and shape. One critic called her a primitive in that she saw everything as if it was there for the first time. She can teach us about surprise and about […]
Sparks and Brush Strokes: What Storytellers Can Learn from Emily Dickinson Details »
by Karla Huntsman When I was growing up, and even in my college years, before I answered a question in a classroom, I pre-planned exactly what I was going to say and when I answered, carefully followed the script in my head, little noting reactions of fellow class members. There was a great deal of
Accessing the Creative Spirit through Professional Improv Techniques Details »
by Charles Temple Storytelling can teach by imparting truths. But storytelling can also teach by inviting people to think for themselves and create their own truths. When people come up with interpretations and support them with reasons, they are doing what is called critical thinking. And when different people work together to create responses to
Storytelling and Critical Thinking Details »
by Gini Cunningham-Baefsky Recipient NSN Spotlight Grant If you ask any De Anza, Pinole Valley or Hercules High School Interact Service Club student what their most important educational experience has been to date, they are likely to tell you (in unison), ‘the Bay Area Storytelling Festival Study Trip’. Not only is it the best field
Bay Area Storytelling Festival Study Trip-2013 Details »
by Carolyn Stearns There was a long hushed pause before a young woman began to speak; her story spilled out. She heard strange voices, muffled and distant, the eerie lights coming in the windows, the glow of eyes outside peeking in, the child in the bed trembles at the alien invasion. There were no aliens,
By Susanna Holstein The school visit was all that I wanted it to be: well planned, well received, a joyful, thoughtful sharing of stories and songs with over 500 children, parents and teachers. It was an affirmation of what I do. During the times when I have no storytelling work I turn my focus to
by Omope Carter Daboiku Click to Listen: daboiku About the Story The same weekend I was performing this story at the National Storytelling Conference, I was also moving into my new home, starting a brand new phase of my life. I was inspired to share this story that is very, very dear to me. About
by Mountain Man Bob Click to Listen MountainBob In 1996 I wanted and needed a tall tale story. My vivid imagination went to work and that’s how I came up with the idea to grow a big watermelon. This story has been a big hit wherever I tell it. But one of the best benefits
by Doug Elliott Click to listen elliott The Scat Rap was first created in 1988 at a “Music and the Environment” workshop at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Tennessee by a group of naturalists, including Andy Bennett, Mary Keebler, and, Rodd Pemble. I added several verses to it and rearranged it with help
by Mark Goldman To the logical, pragmatic, no-nonsense, Type-A personality that I am, the concept of appreciations in storytelling was initially lost on me. Appreciations felt like a “nicey-nicey-fluff-give-them-positive-first-but-doesn’t-help-teach-them-or-move-them-to-change” process. Why not just tell them what they need to change? I would silently think, “Enough of this touchy-feely stuff. Give them meat to chew on!”
Appreciations…for Anthony Details »
